You would think with all the problems going on in North Korea that they would focus on using their limited funds and resources to build up their infrastructure and alleviate hunger, maybe try to get the country rolling again. But the Supreme Leader has other plans. In addition to providing the people with a crappy tablet rip-off, he’s decided that tourism is the way to go.
The first idea that the country is exploring is the creation of generic brand iPads. The device is called Samjiyon and it’s being put together by the previously never-mentioned company, Chosun Computer. They showed the device off at a trade fair in the capital of Pyongyang and while it may resemble an iPad, it is anything but. Being as how the country’s leaders aren’t too fond of the Internet, there’s no Wi-Fi on the thing. Obviously, if they allowed it to connect to the Internet, people might figure out what’s really going on outside their borders. It does, as far as we know, have some apps and games to go along with it, though these are said to be rip-offs, outdated and generally propagandistic in their design. Not to mention that the vast majority of the country won’t be able to afford to look at one, let alone buy one.
But the bigger plan for North Korea, according to Kim and company, is to turn it into a world class tourist destination. Yup, that’s right, they want to set the place up to receive visitors and take in some foreign dollars. They’re working on plans for a beach resort located in the city of Wonsan and already have plans to build a giant ski resort as well. In fact, just last week saw the opening of a town on the Chinese border, Sinuiju, to tourists. So you can already have a tiny look inside the country if you so desire.
Though the idea of promoting tourism in North Korea may seem ridiculous, it may actually prove profitable, assuming no one gets shot for taking a picture of the wrong thing. Many people are curious about the country and would take the opportunity to have a look inside its border first-hand. Of course, whether they would want to go skiing and hang out at a beach resort in a country known for having issues with human rights remains to be seen.
Happy Kim Jong-un courtesy of scrapetv.com
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